Scoop Planner: Bay Area food and drink events this week [Updates]

Celebrate chocolate at the Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival this weekend. Photo: The Chronicle/Lea Suzuki

Presenting another edition of Scoop Planner, a Monday calendar feature to plan out your week of eating and drinking.

If you know of a cool event this week or next week, please send us a note at insidescoopsf@sfgate.com or hit us up at Twitter (@insidescoopsf). This post will be updated throughout the week as necessary.

Wednesday, September 5

James Beard Dinner at Absinthe. The whole Absinthe team went to New York to cook at at the acclaimed James Beard House. Through Saturday, they’ll be serving a special three-course meal featuring favorites from that dinner: tuna tartare, lamb crusted with black garlic and pesto and strawberry pavlova. 5 – 10 p.m. at Absinthe, 398 Hayes St., San Francisco. $65, plus $39 for wine pairings. For reservations, call (415) 551-1590.

Free Foie Gras Wednesday at Txoko. Vouchers for the first 50 people to arrive, each voucher good for a plate of two small pintxos. One foie offering will be from Marc Zimmerman of Alexander’s Steakhouse. 5:30 p.m. at Txoko, 504 Broadway, San Francisco.

Single’s Sushi Making Party. Eat the sushi you make, and consume other hot food, beer and cocktails while competing against other teams. Presented by Nombe. 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Wix Lounge, 2601 Mission St., San Francisco. $110. More info and tickets here.

Festa dell’Unita. Mugsy’s pop-up wine bar will be pouring Ca’Vittoria, a sparkling brut rosé, in honor of Italian communist festivities. There will be other wines, and La Piada Randagia will serve ragu over polenta. 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at El Rio, 3158 Mission St., San Francisco. More info here.

Public Works and Forage SF present Night Market. Live entertainment, including headliners Uni and Her Ukelele, and a full lineup of innovative food vendors. Amongst those making an appearance: the Grilled Cheese Guy, Jablows Meats, Strong Cheese Provisions, Cava Funnel Cakes, Simply Mochi and Nosh This. 5 – 9 p.m. at Public Works, 161 Erie St., San Francisco. $5, 21+. More info here.

Bob Spitz at Omnivore Books. Spitz will discuss his book, “Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child” at Omnivore Books in Noe Valley, 3885a Cesar Chavez Street, San Francisco. 6pm-7pm. FREE, with wine provided by Smith-Madrone Winery. More info here.

Saturday, September 8

Feasting in the Fields. The San Francisco Zen Center celebrates its 50th anniversary and the Green Gulch Farm celebrates its 40th at this outdoor farm-to-table luncheon. Chef Annie Somerville of Greens Restaurant crafted the menu utilizing the farm’s produce, which will be executed by Aaron Jonas catering. Organic juice and specialty beverages created by Mark Ellenbogen (Slanted Door, Aziza, Bar Agricole). Farm tours, music, a raffle and more will round out the day, with proceeds going toward renovations at Green Gulch. 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, Muir Beach. $175. $300 for two, $50 for children. More info here.

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Chef Annie Somerville, of Greens Restaurant, is Photo: Craig Lee

Sauced: Rib Throwdown and Barista Competition. Coffee Bar is throwing a block party, with Cathead’s BBQ, Good Foods Catering, The Jet Set Chef and Gator’s Back Porch BBQ going head-to-head in a rib contest. Expect coffee in rubs and sauces, plus side dishes. There will be beer and wine in the Coffee Bar’s pop-up Biergarten, and inside, a frothy latte tournament. 3 p.m. at the Coffee Bar, 1890 Bryant St., San Francisco. $25. More info and tickets here.

17th Annual Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival. Take in chef demonstrations from chocolatiers, cupcake bakers and mixologists, chow down in an ice-cream sundae eating contest and sample lots of chocolate. $20 for 15 tastes. More info here and tickets here.

CommonWealth Beer Fare at Hawker Fare. Oakland’s CommonWealth is still in repair mode following its fire, but they’re popping up at Hawker Fare with three seatings from 6pm to 10pm, 2300 Webster Street, Oakland. Tickets are $55 and include beer pairings from Adam Lamoreaux, Kel Alcala and Sayre Piotrkowski. Check out the menu, more info, and tickets here.

Bopjip Pop Up at Bouche. The Bush Street gem goes Korean for a night as the catering company puts together a three course meal. Two seatings, 6pm and 8pm. $35 per person. 603 Bush Street, San Francisco. More info and tickets here.

Family Winemakers of California Tasting. For the 22nd year, get unlimited access to over 250 wineries, pouring over 50 varietals and 750 wines. There’s also an on-site creperie, some cheese, discounted wines, and you’ll go home with a wine glass. 3 – 6 p.m. at Fort Mason, 99 Marina Blvd., San Francisco. $55-85. More info and tickets here.

Mountain View Art & Wine Festival. Art, wine and food are all back for a second day at this annual festival. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Castro St. between El Camino Real and Evelyn Ave., Mountain View. Free. More info here.

Moveable Feast in the Elmwood. Author Cheryl Sternman and food photographer Paulette Phipot will be signing their new book, “Ripe: A Fresh, Colorful Approach to Fruits and Vegetables” at this moving event. It starts at Summer Kitchen with a menu of small plates inspired by “Ripe,” then goes to Mrs. Dalloway’s for a talk and book signing, and ends at Collector for a photography exhibit and wine reception. 4 p.m. start at Summer Kitchen, 2944 College Ave., Oakland. $35, $55 for couples. Tickets are available at Mrs. Dalloway’s, 2904 College Ave. or (510) 704-8222.